Farmed Animals

Farm Animal Pain Assessment Tools

Advances in pain assessment science are improving the ability of farmers and veterinarians to recognize and treat animal pain.

Key Facts

Animals evolved to hide pain — subtle behavioral cues require training to detect
Grimace scales based on facial expressions have been validated for mice, rats, rabbits, horses and pigs
Lameness scoring systems allow systematic welfare monitoring in cattle and sheep
Precision livestock technology enables continuous monitoring for pain-related behavior changes

Welfare Considerations

Unrecognized pain is one of the most significant welfare failures in animal husbandry. Developing and implementing validated pain assessment tools is essential for ensuring animals receive appropriate pain relief. As assessment tools improve and become routine, a substantial portion of hidden suffering can be identified and treated.

What You Can Do

Support research into animal pain assessment science
Advocate for pain assessment training in veterinary education
Ask your vet about pain management protocols for farm animals
Choose producers who use systematic welfare monitoring